Three-dimensional thermomechanical modeling of geothermal energy piles with U-tube heat exchangers of different cross-sectional shapes
| dc.contributor.author | Samia Boudjaza | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-02-10T09:11:30Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-02-10T09:11:30Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025 | |
| dc.description.abstract | This study explores the thermomechanical performance of a three-dimensional (3D) geothermal energy pile (GEP) system, emphasizing the optimization of heat exchanger (HE) geometry to improve both thermal efficiency and structural integrity. As GEPs offer a promising avenue for integrating renewable geothermal energy into building foundations, their design must balance energy performance with mechanical stability. A finite volume-based numerical model is developed, employing second-order spatial and temporal discretization and the Pressure-Implicit with Splitting of Operators (PISO) algorithm for pressure–velocity coupling. A segregated solution strategy with under-relaxation is used to ensure numerical stability and convergence. The model simulates a concrete-encased U-shaped HE embedded in clayey soil, with three cross-sectional geometries: circular, square, and triangular. Simulation outcomes are validated against analytical predictions and benchmarked with experimental and numerical data from the literature. Among the tested geometries, the triangular HE demonstrates superior thermal and structural performance under both mechanical and thermomechanical loading conditions. Compared to the circular configuration, the triangular U-pipe enhances cooling efficiency by reducing outlet temperature by 1.2 % and increasing heat extraction by 8.6 %. In heating mode, it raises the outlet temperature by 0.6 % but lowers the heat transfer rate by 4.8 %, underscoring the need for season-specific or hybrid designs. Thermomechanically, the triangular configuration exhibits the highest axial compressive stress in summer, increasing by 6.36 %, while in winter, it shows a 4.75 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://dspace.univ-khenchela.dz:4000/handle/123456789/10505 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.title | Three-dimensional thermomechanical modeling of geothermal energy piles with U-tube heat exchangers of different cross-sectional shapes | |
| dc.type | Article |